A- Z of Autumn/ Winter 2011 Trends (Part 2)

I hope you all enjoyed the first part of my sartorial A-Z for Autumn. I’m certainly full of inspiration now, especially after the weather has taken a more wintry turn.

K – Kaleidoscopic Colours

In Part One I described the prevalence of indulgent colour. Applied through the lens of a kaleidoscope, rich colour clashes ruled the catwalks. Navy, bottle green and burgundy were contrasted with brighter hues.

L- Luxury parkas

The great outdoors was a source of catwalk inspiration this season, mixing and layering different fabrics and textures for a unique look. Fur-hooded parkas are a perfect way to channel the outdoorsy trend and give girly, glamorous dresses an air of cool insouciance.

Alberta Ferretti A/W '11 RTW

M- Mod

Boxy silhouettes nod to the sixties trend; think tunics paired with trousers, shift dresses and separates in boxy silhouettes, as seen at Prada and Alberta Ferretti. Wear with knee-high boots, a pixie haircut and spidery lashes.

N- Neck accessories

Fashion is having a modest moment with collars on the catwalk firmly buttoned-up. Louis Vuitton made the collar the focus of an outfit with their detatchable patent leather scalloped edge collars. Peter Pan collars have been a growing trend and add an edge to a simple shift dress or minimal tunic.

Louis Vuitton A/W '11 RTW

O – Outlandish outerwear

If you buy one thing to update your wardrobe this season, make it a coat. Not only practical, the coat has real fashion clout at the moment and can transform an outfit. Fur, leather, wool, patterned, plain, bright, subtle, cocoon, fitted, Crombie… the list goes on.

P – Pencil skirt

The pencil skirt is the skirt of the season this A/W. This is one versatile addition to your wardrobe which enhances and flatter curves, the perfect partner for this season’s pussy-bow blouses and glamourous knits. The chicest length is below the knee; pair with heels and a frame bag to emphasise the ladylike appeal.

Q – Quintessentially British

I’ve already extolled the virtues of tartans and checks in Part 1 of my A-Z of trends and other iconic British fabrics such as tweed and wool took centre stage this season. British heritage designs and fabrics are having a fashion moment this season, but this look is less lady of the manor, more urban utility. Crombie coats and tweed trouser suits channel the trend.

Mulberry A/W '11 RTW

R- Retro

Pick a decade, any decade. The fourties to the seventies are the main sources of inspiration this season…

S- Studio 54

…if you do pick the seventies then super-luxe glamour is the main focus. Think floaty maxis split to the thigh in sumptuous colours, jumpsuits and big earrings for night; bohemian furs, flares and floppy hats by day.

T – Trousers and tunics

Tunic-length tops graced the catwalk in multiple guises. Teamed with matching tapered and cropped trousers the trouser suit was given a makeover, a more feminine spin on the androgyny trend.

U- Underarm Bag Grab

Prada “pioneered” a new way to carry your bag – I kid not – bundled under the arm was the latest way to casually carry your “It” bag. It was even seen again at the S/S ’12 shows. Will it catch on? Probably not, but brownie points for trying.

V- Victoriana

Step back even further in time and take inspiration from the nineteenth century. The new mood of restraint at some of the shows saw high necks and maxi lengths grace the catwalk; Meadham Kirchoff went for the full-on effect with models donning demure pinafore dresses and black hairbows. Elsewhere the look was channelled with lace ruffled shirts and prim and proper blouses.

Meadham Kirchoff A/W '11 RTW

Winter florals

Florals are rarely out of fashion favour but there’s a new, darker mood for autumn. Mary Katrantzou’s florals were a graphic take on the print, the lifelike impressions seemed to leap from the outfits. Erdem combined floral prints with rich texture to create depth to the designs.

Mary Katrantzou A/W '11 RTW

X – X-Rated

Louis Vuitton must be one of the most talked-about shows of the season, especially with the rare catwalk appearance from Kate Moss, wearing bondage boots and hotpants, cigarette in hand. All eyes were on the slinky silhouettes and skintight leather on the catwalks this season.

Y – YAY Miu Miu

Miu Miu’s ubiquitous, much lusted after sparkly footwear. There are no words: